#1
Leon's Oyster Shop
$$ - $$$
Upper King
Why #1 Bib Gourmand fried chicken + oysters — the locals' institution that critics love too
Beloved Upper King oyster bar and fried chicken counter housed in a converted auto-shop, serving natural wine, wood-roasted oysters, and Nashville hot chicken in Charleston's most admired casual room.
Address698 King St, Charleston, SC 29403Downtown / Westside /
HoursDaily 11am-10pm
Walk-inYes (reservations only for parties of 6-12)
Price$$
Dress codeCasual
SignatureFried Chicken and Chargrilled Oysters /
James Beard Award semifinalist for Outstanding Restaurant DesignBon Appétit Best New RestaurantsEater Carolinas 'Essential Restaurants'
#2
Jackrabbit Filly
$$
Park Circle, North Charleston
Why #2 Jackrabbit Filly is Shuai and Corrie Wang’s brick-and-mortar restaurant in Park Circle, North Charleston, serving heritage-driven New Chines
Jackrabbit Filly is Shuai and Corrie Wang’s brick-and-mortar restaurant in Park Circle, North Charleston, serving heritage-driven New Chinese American food with a playful, polished edge. Charleston City Paper highlights dishes like pork and cabbage dumplings and karaage, while OpenTable describes the restaurant as award-winning and a Diners’ Top Pick.
Address1083 E Montague Ave, North Charleston, SC 29405
HoursWed–Thu 5:00 pm–9:00 pm; Wed–Sat lunch 11:00 am–3:00 pm; Wed–Sat bar 3:00 pm–5:00 pm; Fri–Sat 5:00 pm–9:30 pm
ReservationsReservations available on OpenTable; bookable online
Walk-inWalk-ins not clearly stated; OpenTable indicates reservations are available, and the restaurant also offers takeout/delivery via online ordering
Price$$
SignaturePork and cabbage dumplings; karaage
Verified Charleston operatorSeptember 2026 podium
#3
The Grocery
$$
Cannonborough
Why #3 The Grocery is a neighborhood Charleston restaurant centered on seasonal ingredients from local farmers, fishermen, foragers, and artisans
The Grocery is a neighborhood Charleston restaurant centered on seasonal ingredients from local farmers, fishermen, foragers, and artisans, with Chef Kevin Johnson at the helm. Its identity blends Southern and Mediterranean influences, house-made preservation, and a wood-burning oven in a former furniture warehouse setting.
Address4 Cannon St, Charleston, SC 29403
HoursDinner Tuesday-Sunday, opening at 5:00
ReservationsTakes reservations (per Yelp); official site does not state a policy in the fetched page
Walk-inCheck on arrival
Price$$
SignatureHouse-made charcuterie; evolving seasonal menu; Southern and Mediterranean-influenced dishes; in-house canned produce; wood-fired oven items
Verified Charleston operatorSeptember 2026 podium
Also strong in this category
These restaurants previously held a podium slot and remain strong picks. Full profiles preserved below.
#4
Tattooed Moose
$
Upper King
Why #2 Duck fat fries, dive bar energy, and the burger that started a cult
View full profile
#2
Tattooed Moose
$
Upper King
Why #2 Duck fat fries, dive bar energy, and the burger that started a cult
Beloved dive bar and sandwich shop on Upper King famous for the Duck Club sandwich, craft beers, and an unapologetically local, no-frills atmosphere.
Address4845 Chateau Avenue, North Charleston, SC 29405Park Circle / Johns Island
HoursDaily 11:30am-2am; Sun brunch 11:30-3; kitchen 'til 12am (Sun-Thu) or 1am (Fri-Sat)
ReservationsWalk-in only. No reservations taken.
Walk-inYes
Price$$
Dress codeCasual
SignatureMike's Famous Duck Club™ and Duck Fat Fries
Multiple 'Best Sandwich in Charleston' awardsCharleston City Paper Best of Charleston repeat winnerThe Duck Club sandwich is a Charleston cult item
#5
Home Team BBQ
$$ - $$$
Multiple (West Ashley flagship; Sullivan's Island; Upper King)
Why #3 Gamechanger cocktails + dry-rubbed wings — the social BBQ spot
View full profile
#3
Home Team BBQ
$$ - $$$
Multiple (West Ashley flagship; Sullivan's Island; Upper King)
Why #3 Gamechanger cocktails + dry-rubbed wings — the social BBQ spot
Award-winning Charleston BBQ institution with multiple locations serving smoked meats, creative cocktails, and live music that defines the Lowcountry backyard cookout experience.
Address126 Williman St, Charleston, SC 29403Downtown Charleston / East Central
HoursMon-Sun 11am-12am; full menu until 10pm; late night 10pm-12am
ReservationsWalk-in only. No reservations taken.
Walk-inYes
Price$$
Dress codeCasual
SignatureFiery Ron's Smoked Chicken Wings / Pulled Pork
Southern Living 'Best BBQ in Charleston'Food Network and Travel Channel featuresMultiple locations across the Charleston area
#4
Hannibal's Kitchen
$
A James Island soul food institution that has '…
40+ years in operation — one of Charleston's oldest …
↑ 2
#5
Home Team BBQ
$$ - $$$
Award-winning Charleston BBQ institution with m…
Southern Living 'Best BBQ in Charleston'
—
#6
Lost Isle
$$ - $$$
Fire-to-table outdoor restaurant under pecan tr…
Southern Living Restaurant of the Year (2024)
↑ 1
#7
Dave's Carry-Out
$
Low-key local seafood institution serving Lowco…
TripAdvisor #169 in Charleston with 4.5/5 (72 reviews)
↑ 6
#8
Reggie's Tavern
$$
Neighborhood tavern added to Resy's Charleston H…
Resy new-to-Hit-List June 2026
New
#9
Boxcar Betty's
$
West Ashley purveyor of gourmet fried chicken s…
TripAdvisor #22 in Charleston with 4.5/5 (432 reviews)
↑ 3
#10
Stems & Skins
$$-$$$
Park Circle wine bar, JBF 2026 Semifinalist for O…
James Beard 2026 Semifinalist, Outstanding Wine & Other Beverages Program
New
#11
Graft Wine Shop & Wine Bar
$$-$$$
Wine shop and wine bar, JBF 2026 Semifinalist for…
James Beard 2026 Semifinalist, Outstanding Bar
New
#12
Basic Kitchen
$$ - $$$
Pioneering whole-foods and plant-forward restau…
TripAdvisor #80 in Charleston (4.3/5, 181 reviews) —…
↓ 1
#13
Edmund's Original (formerly Edmund's Oast)
$$ - $$$
American tavern and gastropub on Morrison Drive…
Eater Carolinas 'Essential Restaurants'
↓ 9
#14
The Royal American
$
Neighborhood bar and live music venue on Morris…
Open since 2011 — one of Charleston's most establish…
↓ 5
#15
Tattooed Moose
$
Beloved dive bar and sandwich shop on Upper Kin…
Multiple 'Best Sandwich in Charleston' awards
—
#16
Jack of Cups Saloon
$
Cozy Folly Beach staple with a globally inspire…
Charleston City Paper Best of Charleston winner (mul…
↓ 8
#17
Lillian's Petite Market & Eatery
$$ - $$$
Community-centered Westside café, bar, and mark…
Condé Nast Traveler mention
↓ 7
#18
Queen Street Grocery & Cafe
$
Neighborhood café and local institution in the …
Voted 'Best Corner Store' by customers
↓ 4